Design Musings

Wanted: Week 19

1. Alexis Bittar Earrings, Neiman Marcus $375  2. Odds and Ends Tray, Kate Spade $40  3. Beehive Tumbler, Zara Home $35.90  4. Marble Print Suit, Rachel Comey $276  5. Dream Weaver Necklace, Karen London $106  6. Brass Basket, H&M  7. Vintage Wing Arm Chair, RugsUSA $763  8.
La Laque No24 Rose Abstrait, Yves Saint Laurent $27  9. Garra Bottle Stopper, Bliss Home & Design $40  10. Clear Clutch

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

Real talk: I haven't cooked in a long time.  A long, long time.  It's terrible for many reasons, though more than anything else it's just something I really miss doing.  I'll get back on the ball once we're settled, but in the meantime I've got my Dad's AMAZING flan recipe to share.  One of the funny things about having a chicken coop in your backyard is an occasional surplus of eggs...my Dad employs this recipe when they start to stack up (and/or when I beg him to make it like I did today).  

Ingredients:

12 eggs total, 6 yolks, 6 whole

1 cup sugar

1 can evaporated milk

1 can condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a heavy skillet over medium-low heat, cook and stir sugar until melted and light brown, about 10 minutes.  Mix eggs with an electric mixer...be careful not to over mix.  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend smooth.  

Carefully pour sugar into a 9 inch round baking dish or bundt pan, tilting the dish to coat the bottom and sides completely.  Pour custard into caramelized mold and place in a hot water bath. 

Fill with water about halfway up bundt pan.  Cover with foil then bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Remove from water bath and allow about an hour to come to room temperature.  

Re-cover with foil and refrigerate until cool, then flip and serve!

Seasons.

It's been awhile, huh?  I sure have missed posting regularly but in the interest of my mental, emotional and physical well being I decided to put a pin in all non-moving activities until I got a chance to catch my breath.  It's been a slightly chaotic, extremely transitional but altogether wonderful month.  The weeks seem to be going by fast but the days are so, so long.  By the time my head hits the pillow at night I just don't have one ounce of energy left...I'm sure you can relate.  

Nonetheless, I've been thinking about seasons lately (of the literal and figurative variety).  As usual, Nashville has basically skipped over spring and dived head first into summer which means it's hot as the dickens out already (and consequently, I'm happy as a clam).  I was sitting outside with Virginia for just a moment yesterday when I pondered the harsh winter that just came to a close.  However illogical it might be, there was a part of me that felt like it was going to be winter forever...yet there I was enjoying the warm sun on my face, with half-polished toes scrunched in the grass, welcoming the cool breeze instead of cursing it.  "This too shall pass" is a lesson I've had to learn over and over throughout my life and yesterday I grasped it afresh.  

Not unlike the difficult winter, our season of transition has been downright exhausting.  And it's not over just yet, though we'll get there.  There's a light at the end of the new-normal tunnel and it's looking bright in more ways than one.  We're gonna make it...and so are you.  If you're feeling discouraged, tired, or even just complacent- keep going.  Don't mistake the temporary for the rest of your life.  You're not stuck, you're moving forward.  Every day is one day closer to a new season.  But I digress :)

I don't know exactly what this next week, month or year is gonna hold for my life, for my marriage, for my family, for our business or even for the things that I can feasibly plan like this blog...but I'm committed to working hard on all of it because I want to see every last bit of it flourish.  One of the things I love about this blog is that it's a living thing- it changes and grows right along with my life.  I haven't plotted it out completely, but I imagine there's some change heading this way soon because...well...there has to be.  If you don't let things grow you condemn them to die.  Bear with me as I figure out what exactly growth means for this space.  I've (finally!) got a few posts lined up for the rest of this week and into next week so I hope you're not planning to go anywhere...we'll figure out the changes as we go, how's that sound?  

As always, I so appreciate the fact that so many of you come back here day after day and week after week.  Your patience and graciousness has kept me from loosing my mind and I whole heartedly thank you.  I can't wait to enter this new season together!

Wanted: Week 18

1. Erin Gregory Painting, One Kings Lane $169-$249  2. Woven Trouser Short, Joie $148  3. Leather Court Shoe With Bow, Zara $99.90  4. Gold Plated Lobster Earrings, Net-A-Porter $230  5. Brass Cage Accent Table, Target $69.99  6. Oscar De La Renta Earring, Net-A-Porter $235  7. Small Drew Shoulder Bag, Chloe

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Whether I like it or not (and I do not like it), my plan this weekend is to unpack and organize in the new house as much as humanly possible.  I'm desperately trying to come up with manageable systems but my type A personality is sabotaging me around every corner by trying to come up with perfect solutions and places for everything.  Turns out, there is no perfect in moving.  The goal is to survive.  While I think I've come up with a few good ideas, I've finally realized there is a chance I put the cutting boards where it would make more sense to put the baking dishes.  And that's gonna have to be okay.  Hope your weekend is substantially less neurotic than mine :), enjoy the links!

I'm obsessed.  Obsessed.

Consider me voodoo mind tricked into needing all these things…

Adorable.

This cracks me up...

Both funny and accurate!

The Foodie Files

I usually employ the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" rule when it comes to the classics, but curiosity got the best of me this week and I decided to try a few new techniques in regards to my ol' faithful meatball recipe.  The results were astonishingly positive.  Sometimes you've just gotta switch things up, you know?  I like to try new, potentially risky recipes when I'm all by my lonesome...it takes an enormous amount of pressure off and I'm less likely to try and play it safe.  This particular recipe turned out so well I'm tempted to keep all the leftovers for myself!

Ingredients:

For the meatballs-
16 oz ground pork
16 oz Italian sausage, removed from casing
1 1/4 cups breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 tsp thyme, chopped
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

3 eggs, lightly beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce-

4 shallots, diced

3 garlic cloves, diced

3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 28oz can peeled tomatoes (San Marzano if you can find them!)
1 15oz can plain tomato sauce

1 6oz can tomato paste

4 bay leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan heat extra virgin olive oil over a low flame, then add shallots and garlic.  

In a large mixing bowl add pork, Italian sausage, bread crumbs, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper.  Using your hands, mix the ingredients until evenly distributed (but not over worked).

Whisk beaten eggs, ricotta and parmesan together in a separate bowl until there are no large clumps.  Pour into meat mixture and mix until just incorporated.

Form meatballs in your hand, about 1 1/2-inches in diameter, using about 3 TBS of the mixture to form each meatball.  Pack tightly to avoid breakage.  Turn up your flame to medium and brown meatballs in shallots, garlic and oil mixture.

The garlic and shallots should caramelize a bit but keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.  Once all sides are browned, add tomato paste.  Allow 5-10 minutes for the tomato paste to develop some flavor, mixing occasionally (I read an article about this the other day and saw a big difference in my sauce).  Add tomatoes, sauce and bay leaves and simmer for about 2 hours.  Remove bay leaves (make sure you got them all!) and add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve alone or with pasta and top with parmesan cheese.

3 Ideas

(Image Via Tumblr)

1.  Find 10 outfits you love…on anyone, anywhere (think magazines, movies, TV, Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, award shows, and so on and so forth).  Even if you feel like "I could never pull that off", even if they seem way out of your price range, even if they're 10x dressier than the dressiest piece in your closet, find them and take a good look.  What can you apply to your wardrobe from those outfits?  Somewhere out there is a brilliant stylist that already put in the time to come up with those amazing looks, there's no shame in capitalizing on it!  Is there a killer color combination that made you swoon?  A perfectly cut dress?  A fabulous balance of accessories?  Even if you don't run off and go on a shopping spree, just make a note of what caught your eye.  You never know when you might need that little piece of inspiration!

2.  Start with what you have.  I know, I know- your closet is a nightmare, you hate all your clothes, it's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad suggestion.  But it's a task worth tackling.  Anytime you can put outfits together before you need them…when you're in a healthy state of mind and not in a rush/feeling like you want to break something/etc…you're better off for it.  And can I make a kind of weird suggestion that I really think might help?  Before you start the process of sorting through your clothes and/or assembling outfits…take a shower.  Style your hair, put on makeup, throw on a supportive bra and some seamless underwear and feel good about how you look.  Then (and only then) can you make fair assessments.

3.  Save for one or two pieces that make you feel really great.  They don't have to be "investment pieces" of the highest quality or even expensive in any way, just something you love.  A go-to piece, if you will.  I have a few I run to on the regular…a pair of jeans from Zara that fit me perfectly, a red Diane Von Fürstenberg wrap dress that I got on sale at Loehmans when I lived in Miami, a pair of nude ballet flats that seemingly match everything I own, a comfy James Perse v-neck and a simple gold key necklace from Forever 21 that I think may have belonged to my cousin, Jessie, at one point.  Whatever I spent on them, it wasn't enough cause they always come through for me!

If you're willing to spend a good bit of time to hone your style, the results are well worth it!  If you're not and would rather have someone tackle it for you, it just so happens that's one of our specialties.  In fact, you can check out our list of services here!  As always- if we can help, we'd love to!

Wanted: Week 17

1. Black and White Striped Coverup, Sheinside $22.33  2. The Multiple Stick, Nars $39  3. Seletti Plate, Drake General Store $25  4. Savannah Metallic Wedge Sandal, Tory Burch $265  5. Hayword Tray Table, One Kings Lane  6.  Rosantica Necklace, Matches Fashion $682

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

We're in Virginia (the state) with Virginia (the puppy) this week having such a delightful time.  Little Miss sure loves her namesake and all her family here!  There's quite a bit on the agenda for this weekend from gymnastics with Ava to a quick trip to Jersey for our very first bridal shower.  Spending time with both our families is such a wonderful treat so we're soaking up every second!  Hope there's smooth sailing ahead for you and yours…enjoy the links!

As if there weren't already enough reasons to visit Italy!

I'm intrigued…

Gonna try one or two of these.

Very pretty…

Lots of good stuff here.

3 Ideas

It's spring cleaning time!  I'm in the middle of the ultimate spring cleaning- the process of moving- but I threw together a few simpler ideas that don't neccessarily involve sorting through every item you own.  Even if it's not something you tackle this week, you may circle back around to it at some point.  Just think of how wonderful you'll feel when it's done!

1. If you do nothing else- make it a point to spend one afternoon tossing what can be thrown away all throughout your house…expired food in your fridge and pantry, old medicine, magazines you've already read, junk mail, broken nonsense you keep around for no good reason, and the list goes on.  Throw on some sweats, tie your hair back and don't stop until you're finished.  A little less clutter here and there adds up to a lot less clutter, total.  In fact, I think it's the fastest and easiest way to feel some instant lightness in your home.

2. Decide on your spring cleaning goals early in the process...this check list is a great place to start but everyone's house and mess are different.  Maybe this is the year you attack the attic or the garage…maybe the very thought of that makes you want to hyperventilate and pass out…either way, don't let what you can't do paralyze you from doing anything.  Once you've decided what, decide on when and stick to it.  If you have a really quite exceptionally good friend, you can even invite her over to help (but make sure you head over to her house for spring cleaning round two)!

3. Let's talk long term maintenance…in my experience, the key is to start with baby steps.  As I've said so many times before, setting a difficult goal is noble thing but the goal itself doesn't instantly turn you into a brand new person.  Your schedule isn't changing, your habits aren't melting away, you're gonna have to fight to make that goal stick!  That being said, an important part of the process is figuring out what it is about particular tasks that make them seem so inconvenient in the moment...because that's what it comes down to.  If you can't think of a way to alleviate at least some of the annoyance, you'll always be fighting an uphill battle.  A few little changes can make a big difference.  

Wanted: H&M 2014 Conscious Collection

I took a temporary departure from our usual format and dedicated today's Wanted exclusively to my favorite pieces from H&M's new Conscious collection…because I'm loosing my mind over it.  It's so chic, so reasonably priced and so high fashion I can hardly stand it.  Mark your calendars for it's launch April 10…if your local H&M isn't one of the 150 stores that carry it, don't fret!  They're making the whole collection available online as well (cue sigh of relief).  Good thing I have the next few weeks to narrow down what to buy because- from a monetary standpoint- I could get myself in all kinds of trouble here (affordable isn't so affordable when you buy 10 pieces).  Decisions, decisions…

1. Boho purse, $69.95  2. Shoulder Adornment, $149  3. White Jumpsuit, $69.96  4. Black Ball gown, $299  5. Fringe Earrings, $17.95  6. Shoulder Bearing Lace Blouse, $69.95  7. Metallic Sheath Dress, $69.95  8. Head Wrap, $17.95

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Of the notable activities this weekend has in store, the top three are: 

1) A fun weekend visit with my cousin and his darling fiancé.

2) the three month mark to our wedding!  and

3) officially doing some damage unpacking at our new house.

It's all quite exciting.  Hope your weekend is fabulous as well, enjoy the links!

I'm in the zone!

You're about to be either very happy of very angry with me.

Try this…and if that bombs, this.

Cutie cute cute…

One of my favorite things we ate in Italy (mmmMmmm).

The Foodie Files

One of our dearest friends turned 30 earlier this week, so Davey (my handy dandy fiancé/sous chef) and I pulled out all the stops for his birthday dinner.  The menu was sublime…shrimp cocktail, mascarpone mashed potatoes, lightly blanched asparagus, a tasty little salad and the pièce de résistance: filet mignon with champagne crab cream sauce (which is the recipe we'll cover today).  You turn 30 exactly one time, so I wasn't about to take any short cuts.  If I had it to do over again, I'd half- possibly quarter- the recipe for the cream sauce.  You can't reheat it and it just made way, way too much (and considering there were nine of us and we all dug in, that's saying something).  As celebratory feast recipes, it doesn't get any better than this!    

Ingredients:

For the steak-

9 filet mignon steaks

4-5 TBS butter

Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce-

4 TBS shallots, diced

2 cups champagne 

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup butter

16 oz crab claw meat

Pre-heat oven to 400.  Pour champagne and shallots into a medium sized pot over low heat.  Cook for 10-15 minutes.  

While the sauce is cooking, season filets thoroughly with salt and pepper.  Melt butter over medium heat then sear filets for 2-3 minutes per side.  Cook for 10-15 minutes in pre-heated oven (depending on desired temperature…medium, medium well, etc).

Return to sauce and add 1 cup heavy cream.  Bring heat up to medium low and reduce by half (about 5-7 minutes).  Whisk in butter then remove from heat and add crab.  Stir, serve and enjoy!

Wanted: Week Fifteen

1. Vintage Malachite Rolex, 1stDibs  2. Wool Baseball Cap, Stella McCartney $300  3. La Playa Pillow, Trina Turk $140  4. Arthur Glass Table, Z Gallerie $299  5. White Marble Cover, Case Scenario 14,99 €  6. But First, Coffee Print, Etsy  7. Steph Gladiator Sandals, Loeffler Randall $250  8. Pride and Prejudice Mug, Amazon  9. Sandbacka Green Sofa, Ikea $999

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Well…through no fault of my own, I've turned into a crazy dog lady.  In addition to our new puppy Virgina, I'm watching my parent's dogs for a few weeks and so far it's been a trip.  Wonderful!  But a trip.  Truth be told, there was some chaos at first but we're all settling down into a lovely little routine and I love all three of them to an almost embarrassing degree…they have a lovely little corner of my heart.  Hope your weekend is happy as can be!  Let's catch up Monday…enjoy the links!

Super cool, super pretty.

Can't wait to check this out at Target!

Not entirely sure what I think about these but I'm intrigued...

Yup.

I know this is ridiculous, but I watch it and laugh about once a week

3 Ideas

Dancing around like a crazy person just for the heck of it is one of life's great gifts and no one will ever convince me otherwise.  While you'll never find me "in the club", we could easily make awkward eye contact at any given traffic light when I realize you saw me dancing in my car.  To that end...

1. Put a little pep into your morning routine by jumping on Spotify and playing a few of your favorite go-to high energy songs…be they Whitney Houston's "I wanna dance with somebody", Elvis Crespo's "Suavemente", or something far more ridiculous still.  Even if all you do is bob your head a little whilst you brush your teeth (though I don't even understand how anyone could have the self control to do only that), it's a great way to start your day. 

2. Sign up for honest to goodness dance lessons.  They're not nearly as intimidating as you'd think and they really are fun!  Bonus: there's almost always a dance related Groupon or Living Social deal floating around that offers lessons for practically peanuts.  Wedding season is quickly approaching (a fact I know all too well) so you know it's a skill you can put to good use soon! 

3. Play any variation of any Just Dance game on any device you can.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, playing Just Dance is my favorite and a guaranteed good time.  Put it on your agenda stat!

Wanted: Week Fourteen

1. Granada Lanters Rombus, l'aviva $485  2. Geo Era Embellished Crepe Dress, Net-a Porter $425  3. Gatsby's Green Light Special Necklace Set, Modcloth $39.99  4. Teardrop Earrings, J. Crew $68  5. Onward & Upward Bottle, Izola $44  6. The Meridian Bracelet, Coordinates $214  7. Metal Chest, Zara Home $59.90

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

I'm pre-tty excited about this Dark Chocolate Soufflé Cake.  I made it for our Oscars dinner on Sunday and have enjoyed a little piece every night since.  I first spied it on Scientifically Sweet, a really interesting website that takes a scientific approach to artisanal baking…there's way more to discover there so check it out when you get a chance!  Don't let this recipe intimidate you- it's not nearly as difficult as it seems and it's at least twice as delicious as you'd imagine.

10 oz dark chocolate chips
7 TBS unsalted butter
6 TBS sugar
4 large eggs, separated and at room temperature
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp salt

Preheat your oven to 350°F then butter the sides and bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan.  In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of the sugar, the egg yolks and flour.  Using a mixer, beat the egg whites and salt until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually beat in the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and whip until the whites are smooth, glossy and hold firm peaks.

Use a wide rubber spatula to fold 1/3 of the egg whites until the chocolate mixture. Once incorporated fold in the remaining egg whites in two parts just until the mixture is smooth and no white streaks are visible.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake has puffed up and feels slightly firm in the center.  Do not over-bake.  Let the cake cool in the pan.  It will collapse as it cools.  Let it cool to room temperature before serving.

My favorite part?  It's rich but not too rich and very, very decadent.  I'd suggest serving it with some freshly whipped cream, berries or vanilla ice cream…or if you have them on hand, all three!

3 Ideas

1. Try something you've heard of but never tasted.  For example, reading C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as a kid always made me curious about Turkish Delight.  When I finally saw it in a specialty grocery store in college I was so excited!  Come to find out Turkish Delight tastes disgusting, but my lifelong fascination with it made me so happy I tried it anyway.  And remember, you don't have to tread into "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" territory to broaden your horizons…start with a loop around your favorite grocery store or by perusing the menu at an interesting restaurant you've never tried and see what you find!

2. Get creative with your flavor combinations.  If you think about it, someone somewhere was the first person to pair fruit and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and hazelnut, and the list goes on.  No pressure to come up with a pairing that's quite as prolific but the possibilities really are endless.  True story: my parents made me a delicious broth soup with a poached egg in it over Christmas that all but changed my life.  Its not something I would've come up with on my own but it's a dish I've dreamed of over the last few months.  You may kiss a few frogs before you find your prince but the possible payoff is huge.

3. You know those foods you didn't like as a child and haven't tried since…give a few another shot!  You may be surprised to see how much your palate has changed.  Order one as a side at a really terrific restaurant or Google a really tasty looking recipe to make another…what's the worst that can happen?

Wanted: Week Thirteen

1. Indigo Raw Silk Pillow, ABC Home $48  2. Sophia Emerald Earrings, Loren Hope $34  3. Elliana Feather Clutch, Kate Spade $398  4. Juliska Field of Flowers Oriental Poppies Dinner Plate, Neiman Marcus $47  5. Stripe Satin Dress, Topshop for Nordstrom $140  6. Triton Embellished Sandals, Charlotte Olympia $1,095

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

It's been an amazing week full of answered prayers and puppy kisses…not too shabby, I must say.  I've got some serious packing to do this weekend which may be tricky in light of said puppy kisses but that's okay.  Totally worth it.  Hope your weekend is lovely and maybe even (dare I say it?) not entirely freezing.  Enjoy the links!

This has been floating around everywhere this week but it's too good not to share!

Cute idea.

In honor of this weekend's Oscars part 1

…and part 2

Great shop!

The Foodie Files

Here ye, here ye; I have an announcement!  Even as I type it, I can hardly believe it…as of today, Davey and I are the proud parents of the most delightful English bulldog puppy there ever was.  My soon to be in-laws set the whole thing in motion as a wedding present and I'll tell you what, I'm over the moon excited.  So without further ado, meet Virgina…my snuggly, calm, incredibly cute little munchkin.  

Before I tell you about the homemade dog treats I threw together this afternoon let me first say I promise not to be a finger-pointing, organic-only, self righteous dog owner.  To quote Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that".  But I was excited to make a welcome home treat for my big eater and I'm glad I did cause she loves them.  I first spied the recipe on Cesar Milan's website and it looked like something simple she'd enjoy.  Davey tried one…needless to say I did not, but I will say they actually smell really good!

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp beef or chicken bouillon cubes
½ cup hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Dissolve bouillon in hot water and set aside.  Add remaining ingredients then knead dough until it forms a ball.

Roll dough until ½ inch thick.  Cut into slices or use cookie cutters (I used hearts and stars cause it's what I had on hand but a nice dog bone might be a nice touch).

Place dough pieces on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes.  Let cool and serve to your darling canine doll baby.

3 Ideas

It seems like a lot of life is spent waiting, don't you think?  Waiting in traffic, in line, for the end of the commercial break…to graduate, to get married, to have kids and then grandkids…to feel well, for some peace, for a moment of rest.  Waiting, waiting, waiting.  The truth is, contentment will always seem just out of our grasp if we're not careful.  As my pastor put it last Sunday, it's a moving target.  While I can't pretend to have all the answers on this very deep, very complicated, very serious-for-a-design-blog topic, I do have a few thoughts weighing on my heart…hope they resonate with you.

(Image via Vintag)

1. Let yourself grieve.  Waiting is hard, being told "no" is hard, life is- sometimes- really, really hard.  In my experience, perspective is an important part of the whole picture but it's not necessarily the best place to start.  Yes, you are exceptionally fortunate compared to the rest of the world, your problem may be trivial compared to such and such, you have air in your lungs and shoes on your feet…all those things are true and good.  But if you start there you'll probably just end up feeling discontented and guilty.  That's not progress.  Sometimes you just need to take the time to be upset in a healthy way…not by obsessing or lashing out but by recognizing that you're frustrated because it's frustrating, it doesn't feel fair because it's not fair.  It's an important first step.

2. Talk to a mature person you trust…someone who cares enough about you to be kind and honest, who has the wisdom to know when to talk and when to listen, who won't minimize how you're feeling but won't magnify it into something worse either, someone to help you strategize what's next without missing what this moment has to offer and someone willing to walk with you as you settle into that all important perspective we discussed earlier.  Talk to someone who is for you, tell them the truth and then listen to what they have to say.      

3.  Be open to hope.  This does not mean be instantly happy, you get to decide how you respond but you don't get to control how you feel.  It doesn't mean be positive that things will work out exactly the way you want them to, because- unfortunately-  it's possible that won't be the case.  I know everyone who reads this believes something different, but can I just tell you what I believe?  I believe the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but I also believe Romans 8:28 that says God works all things for good.  I believe Isaiah 41:10 that says "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." and I believe, as it was so eloquently put by an acquaintance from college, in the God that gives, and takes away…and then gives again.  

Wanted: Week Twelve

1. Hungry T-Shirt, Etsy $17.69  2. One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories, Amazon $14.97  3. Edie Parker Sapphire and Coral Clutch, Moda Operandi $1,295  4. A Frame Chair, 1stDibs  5. Skin Perfection Gel, Sephora $48  6. Coral Stripe Pillow, West Elm $31

Design Musings

Working For The Weekend

Happy Valentine's Day!  It sure is a great day to be alive.  It occurred to me today that this is the only Valentine's Day I'll ever be a fiancé…and that I'll never be a "girlfriend" again…and that by this time next year I'll have been married for 8 months!  Crazy stuff, ladies and gents.  I'm so thrilled to get to spend this and every Valentine's Day with Davey but no worries, I won't get all mushy on you (though I do hope every single one of you has or finds someone you love as much as I love him).  Have a wonderful night, an excellent weekend and enjoy the links!

I spent hours on this site the other week…literally…hours

Precious.

Kinda weird but also neat.

Seriously funny!

If this actually works, it's pretty awesome.

The Foodie Files

I've got an extremely simple but very tasty recipe on tap today…goat cheese, lemon and and asparagus pasta.  In fact, basically all the ingredients are in the title so you know it's not complicated.  When I first spotted a similar recipe here I thought it might actually be too easy to turn out correctly…then I figured I'd try some of their techniques (straight goat cheese melted onto the pasta) instead of the more complicated thing I probably would've done (more of a goat cheese Alfredo with a roux, cream, etc).  I'm glad I did cause it was delish.  Sometimes easy is the way to go…who knew?

3/4lb mezzi rigatoni pasta
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces
3-4 oz goat cheese
1 TBS lemon juice
1/2 TBS olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare pasta according to package instructions.  In a separate pot, bring water to a rolling boil, salt and add asparagus.  Cook for 2 minutes, drain and set aside.

Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.  Place hot pasta into a large bowl and add in goat cheese (breaking it up as you put it in), olive oil and lemon juice, along with a TBS or two of the pasta water.  Stir to combine.  Mix in asparagus and toss to combine.  Season with additional salt and pepper and serve immediately.

3 Ideas

Whether you find yourself attached or not this Valentine's Day, I think it's a great time for a little decadence.  Celebrate romantic love, platonic love, present love, future love, partnership, independence, or anything in between…and whatever you choose, celebrate it well.  Here's a few ideas to make this or any week feel extra special.

1) If your budget allows it, book yourself a massage or facial (heads up, I hear the best facialist in Nashville is accepting new clients…615-884-7721…you're welcome).  If you're looking to spend just slightly less, take a long bubble bath, throw on a Sephora One Use Mask (it may or may not make you look like a serial killer but it does wonders for your skin!), and enjoy the magazine of your choosing.

2) Eat a rich dessert…I mean really, really rich.  If you can take more than three bites, it's not rich enough.  Think flour-less chocolate cake, a really good creme brûlée or flan, cheesecake or tiramisu, and so on and so forth.  You may regret it at some point, but that point will definitely not be whilst you eat it.

3) Buy a new perfume…even if it's a tester size.  While I tend to stick to one signature scent at a time, I enjoy the occasional switch up.  A spritz of perfume is a beauty ritual we can all share with Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn...even Cleopatra!  There's something kind of neat to that, don't you think?  If you're looking for a new scent, a few of my personal favorites include Dior Poison, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, and Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum.

Wanted: Week Eleven

1. Crackled Leather Shopper, Zara $179  2. Jenny Prim Painting, Serena & Lily $500  3. Pleated Mesh Midi Skirt, Nordstrom  4. 12 Macaron Assortment, Laduree 29,80 €  5. Luxury Gold Foil Letterpress Valentine Cards, Etsy $6.25  6. Peach pink and mint seafoam Chandelier earrings, Etsy $84  7. Derek Accent Table, One Kings Lane  8. Coco Noir Eau De Parfum, Chanel $98

Design Musings

The Foodie Files

I wandered around the grocery store today looking for warm, hearty meal inspiration to fend off the cold and landed on a delicious lamb and chick pea chili that did not disappoint!  I used a variation of a recipe I first spotted here and was thrilled to discover it's a true 30 minute (or less) meal.  Add this one to your winter repertoire for a real treat!

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped (I used orange but red would work, too)
4 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces ground lamb
4 medium tomatoes, chopped

3/4 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
1 tsp chili powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and peppers begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.  Add lamb, salt and pepper, then stir until brown, about 5 minutes.  Drain excess fat, then add tomatoes.  Cook 5 minutes more.  Add chili powder and salt and pepper to taste.  Lastly, add chickpeas, stir, then immediately remove from heat.  Serve garnished with cilantro (trust me, it really makes a world of difference).